New research indicates queen bumblebees possess the remarkable ability to survive underwater for at least a week. This capability emerges during their winter hibernation, a state known as diapause, which can last six to nine months.
During this period, queens are vulnerable to flooding in their underground burrows. Scientists have discovered they survive these waterlogged conditions by breathing underwater, a trait unique among colony members.
The finding stems from a study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. The investigation was prompted by a chance observation where diapausing queens, submerged due to condensation, were found alive.
Further experiments confirmed queen bumblebees can endure submersion for up to eight days. Researchers measured metabolic rates, finding queens continued to respire at a low level underwater. They also utilized an anaerobic energy system, leading to lactate accumulation.
Upon removal from water, queens experienced a metabolic spike for several days as their bodies recovered and processed lactate. This physiological resilience is crucial for surviving extreme environmental conditions and persisting in flood-prone areas, especially with changing spring flooding patterns.